How will I know if Fort McKay is being evacuated?

If there is an evacuation order, FMFN Emergency Services will share information by

• Going door-to-door in the community to share the evacuation order.
• Posting to social media at FORT MCKAY First Nation & Fort McKay Members Facebook page and other official pages.
• Posting to the FMFN app. Please see attached instructions below about how to download the app.

FMFN App Download

What is an evacuation order?

There are three stages to an evacuation:

Evacuation Alert: A warning is issued to residents, and people are asked to be ready to leave on short notice. (When people choose to leave an area before or during the issuing of the alert, this is referred to as a voluntary evacuation.)

Evacuation Order: When there is an impending risk of a wildfire, an evacuation order is issued, and people must leave the area immediately.

Evacuation Rescind: An Evacuation Order or alert is rescinded when it is determined to be safe for residents to return home. An Evacuation Order may be reinstated if a threat returns.

Do I have to evacuate?

We understand that receiving an Evacuation Alert or Order can be an unsettling and emotional experience, particularly to those of us who experienced the 2016 Wildfire. We understand that you may be reluctant to leave your home and our community. However, choosing to remain in an area under Order puts yourself, your family, and first responders in danger. As we all learned in 2016, our region’s strong commitment to safety training and complying with evacuation orders contributed to the saving of many lives.

If you have been placed under an Evacuation Order, that means you are advised to leave the area for your safety and the safety of first responders. People who remain in an area that is under Order may impede the ability of fire crews to fight a wildfire because they may be forced to stop fighting the fire to keep you out of harm’s way.

How can I prepare for an evacuation?

In an evacuation, seconds can count. Prepare a “Go Bag” emergency kit for you and your family. Check the Emergency Preparedness information attached below to see what to pack for yourself.

Family emergency kit checklist

Emergency preparedness toolkit for seniors

What if you don’t have a vehicle? How can I evacuate?

Transportation will be provided during an evacuation to ensure that risk is minimized during the evacuation.

What should people do with their pets if they have to evacuate?

If you need to evacuate due to a wildfire, take your pets with you. Do not leave them behind. Check the Emergency Preparedness information attached to see what to pack for yourself and your pets.

Pet Emergency Checklist

What if it looks fine when I get the order to evacuate?

You must comply with the order.

You may be in danger even if you cannot see the wildfire because it can spread quickly when embers are blown ahead of the fire. These embers can be carried for kilometres and start new fires between you and safety. Sheltering in a home or other structure is no guarantee that you’ll be safe from an approaching wildfire.

Wildfire activity is heavily impacted by weather conditions which means that fire activity can increase suddenly and rapidly due to wind, heat, and dryness. The wildfire itself can contribute to these conditions.

A wildfire can be relentless. Stress and sleep deprivation over several days can decrease your alertness and impact your ability to think clearly. This can impair decision-making, slow your reaction time and increase the likelihood that you’ll make mistakes.

Planning for Wildfire Season

• Make sure that your family and the members of your household are prepared and ready to leave.
• Have go-bags packed.
• Stay informed of weather conditions and advisories in your area.
• Remove any fire hazards in and around your home, such as dried out branches, leaves and debris.
• Keep a sprinkler that is in good working condition in an accessible location.
• Make sure smoke alarms are placed on every level of the home, and preferably in every bedroom.
• Consult with your local fire department or a qualified engineer about making your home fire-resistant.
• Learn how to turn off the utilities in your residence.
• Make sure that your vehicle has enough fuel.
• Check on elderly relatives and neighbours to see if they require assistance.
• Ensure that pets and/or service animals are accounted for.

Important Phone numbers

If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE (3473).
If the fire is in the immediate community, call 911.
In Fort McKay, FMFN Peace Officer Contact Information is 780.828.5555 and press 3.
Every night our FMFN Security Team is on call from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Contact them at 587.644.4400.

You can also contact The Emergency Management Agency:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780.422.9000.

Before you travel, check Alberta 511 for current road conditions.